L5R: City of Lies

Game Master deusvult

Legend of the Five Rings campaign set in Ryoko Owari Toshi: The City of Lies.


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Female Unicorn Battle Maiden ATN: 25 Glory 1.3 Honor: 7.9
combat:
Katana 6k3+7 (6k2 damage) or Yumi (willow leaf) 5k4+7 (5k2 damage)

Decision made that she cannot bear the uncleanliness any longer, Xiaoxing mounts her steed and thunders back through the Leatherworker's quarter and in to Ryoko Owari proper, headed straight for the Temple of Amaterasu.

Fifteen minutes and one friendly, though nose wrinkling shugenja later, and the Unicorn samurai-ko is on her way back to the inn. Stabling her horse up the road she walks quickly back to the Inn of Orange Blossoms.

A hundred words on her lips fall silent as she strides in through the doors and realises she's the first back. Shrugging her shoulders and smiling about the speed of her Utaku warhorse, she signals Hametsu over from where he's still sweeping up.

A bottle of Shochu please Hametsu, I've a feeling that it will be most welcome when the others return!

She returns to the table she was sat at not an hour ago, miraculously still intact aside from the splinters of wood and shards of porcelain strewn across the top. She politely ignores the devastation and pours a small glass to while away the minutes until everyone else arrives.


It seems there is one thing about you that is not pitiful.

Speak, brigand. Why have you attacked these people? Why have you stolen these bodies? Allow yourself whatever dignity you may find in confessing your crimes.


GM Onnotangu:
Himeko continues to hold her hands in front of her, showing the bandit she held no weapons. "I won't kill you. I'm not even armed. Before we can negotiate, however, I will need you to release the boy."


Shinjo Xiaoxing: Hametsu profusely thanks you again for saving his life, and more importantly the lives of Kimiko and Hakiku. Makkasu hears the commotion of your arrival, and comes downstairs to gruffly acknowledge your heroism as well. He looks cleaner than you remember, and his bandages are neat and well tended.

Makkasu grunts and looks down at himself, seemingly as amazed as you are by his cleanliness.

"There's a fine bathhouse just a few doors down the street. Kimiko-san insisted I make use of the place if I'm going to stay and protect my host and hostesses.

She even mended my clothes for me while I was soaking."

Kitsuki Katsurou:

The bandit mumbles painfully and slowly through his broken jaw,

"I wasn't after no corpses. I was just looking fer a sword. I was paid well to do it, too."

Your Awareness/Investigation(Interrogation), with Free Raise: 6k3: 6d10 ⇒ (2, 5, 7, 5, 3, 9) = 319+7+5=21

You not only believe that he's telling the truth, you can tell that he's actually somewhat offended that you think he'd stoop so low to steal corpses. Desecrate them, use them as shields to escape justice? Sure. Steal them? What kind of person do you take me for!?!

You also note that the ronin "bandit leader" doesn't consider himself as part of the bandit team, avoiding the use of "we" in his language.

Pitiful confers with you outside the bandit's hearing. His voice is laced with sincere, fatherly concern:

"Kitsuki-sama, if you wish, you can provide me with a list of information you're looking for. I assure you I will find it, if this ronin possesses it.

I feel it is my duty to inform you WHY I am called 'Pitiful'. It is not because I have no use of my legs and must trundle around on my hands and butt, no matter where I go. It is because I take money to hurt people. The Fortunes have ensured that in this life I have no other trade I can perform, and resultingly my soul is so stained I have no hope for a better lot in the next life.

If you wish to spare yourself further involvement in my dark trade, I can do it without your supervision. I can even keep this man quiet so that your harmony is not disrupted while I work."

In the event you ask about his payment for his services with regards to these bandits:

"Oh, my noble sir, I offered my services to you. Tonight, on these aggressors who came into my community and attacked my neighbors, it is free of charge. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us."

That last bit sounded decidedly ominous.

If you want to continue to directly question the bandit, there will be an honor loss involved, even if you never directly touch the bandits. Even Scorpions don't normally oversee "enhanced interrogations". But if you wish to be able to judge for yourself the veracity of the answers, you'll have to stick around and be intimately involved in the torture. I'll say two boxes of honor will be the price of overseeing the ronin interrogation, and 1 box of honor for each peasant bandit so questioned. (there are 2 other surviving peasant bandits incapacitated on the floor).

If you do wish to spare your honor (and trust Pitiful's judgement about the truth of the answers provided) Soshi Kongming can be your eyes while you look around for inanimate clues in the Crematorium. The fine red silk coin purse that Chinatsu found in the ronin's possession looks like a fine place to begin such investigations, or perhaps the coins themselves that were within.

Doji Himeko:
The bandit squints his eyes at you distrustfully.

"She's tricksy! She's False! We should KILL HIM!"

It doesn't take any skill check to know the boy's life is on the line. The bandit has made up his mind about the ultimatum: you swear on your honor that he can go after he answers your questions, or the eta's life is forfiet.


GM Onnotangu:
Himeko digs in. She couldn't let this man escape, even if it meant the boy's death. It would be tragic, but he was an eta. Her eyes flash angrily. "Killing him will not save you. If you wish so badly to escape, you will have to go through me. His death will be one more sin you must account for. Surrender now and face justice."


Doji Himeko:

The bandit lets out a desperate, blood-curdling scream as he slashes the boy's throat, and pushes the boy into you while he turns to run out the front of the domicile.

If you catch the boy and toss him aside, you'll be free to attempt to subdue the bandit before he can get out the front door. If you dodge back to avoid touching the dead boy being pushed into you, by the time you step back into the house the bandit will be going out the front door and the chase will be back on.

The boy being eta is of such low status on the social order that failing to save his life in pursuit of justice for the bandit entails no loss of honor. Catching his corpse, however.. that may leave a metaphysical mark.


GM Onnotangu:
Himeko curses and jumps away from the body. She stares in disbelief at the body for a moment before running after the bandit.

Does it seem like these buildings are mostly deserted?


Doji Himeko:
Quote:
Does it seem like these buildings are mostly deserted?

Not deserted, as most of them have candles or lanterns illuminating them from the inside. But most are indeed currently unoccupied because their residents are generally over at the Crematorium: either dead or helping to clean up the mess.

I was in the process of editing my previous post as you posted this one; I was putting in a chance to notice that the boy isn't dead right as of this moment..

Himeko's Perception/Medicine (Unskilled) TN15 (moderate difficulty): 3d10 ⇒ (5, 7, 5) = 17 Success

I'll allow you to retroactively change your decision to dodge away to not being so severe as to ensure the boy doesn't touch you at all. He's probably going to die without prompt care, but if he brushes against you it isn't touching dead flesh since he's still alive, afterall. You would still have unsightly blood smears on the front of your kimono, however.

So if you wish, you're free to attempt to subdue the bandit before he has a chance to escape the house.


Female Unicorn Battle Maiden ATN: 25 Glory 1.3 Honor: 7.9
combat:
Katana 6k3+7 (6k2 damage) or Yumi (willow leaf) 5k4+7 (5k2 damage)

Xiaoxing looks over the freshly-bathed wave man

It's amazing what happens when hot water meets scruffy ronin, you almost look half-respectable

she pushes a cup of shochu over to him

I hope you enjoy that, you'll never get hired anywhere else in Ryoko Owari looking half-respectable! she grins to share the humor as she sips her own cup of the strong liquor.

I am glad that you have found a place to be for the moment, brave men deserve rice and a roof over their heads

she nods respectfully to the ronin.

On a more serious note, brave men are hard to find, I own the words I speak when I say I will recommend you if the need comes for a task requiring a brave man

She refills his cup, then bangs hers on the table and slams it down.

Unicorn tradition, something about the 'Last Shochu'...I forget the story!


GM Onnotangu:
Himeko shrugs off the dying boy, sparing only a glance back to the life that she had gambled and lost. His blood splattered across her kimono, but it seemed like a small price to pay for an opportunity to stop the bandit. The courtier darts forward and kicks at the man's ankle.

Jiujutsu 3k2: 3d10 ⇒ (2, 2, 1) = 5 = 4 lolz

Offensive Stance/Move/Attack


Well, I leave you to your work, then. I need to know if he was working for anyone, why this sword is so special to him that he would mount an attack for it, and if he had any connection to the events at the Inn of Orange Blossoms earlier today.

Katsurou then walks off to find the purse in question, Konming in tow.


Shinjo Xiaoxing: Makkasu replies to your comment about having a place for the night:

"Ah, yes. Hametu-san's life, family, and livelihood were all threatened while I benefited from his hospitality. It is the least I could do to defend all of those things for the duration of the night."

He joins you at the table after your invitation, and thanks you for the offer of company and alcohol. He looks around and asks,

"Where's your friends?"

Doji Himeko:
The rat-like bandit steps over your ineffective leg-sweep as he opens the door and then darts outside, not even pausing to hiss at you.

As you head out into the street after him, you see his arms and legs pumping furiously as he's abandoned stealth and is trying to simply out-run you. He's headed east, deeper into the Leatherworkers' Quarter. What few eta you see in the street are scurrying out of the way to kowtow low.. you can see that their instinctual reaction to seeing you run through the street renders them ineffectual as potential allies in subduing your bandit as he dashes past them.

This is a flat out sprint, so I'm saying strength/athletics opposed rolls.

Bandit's sprint, 2k2 (untrained athletics): 2d10 ⇒ (8, 7) = 15

Kitsuki Katsurou:

Kitsuki Katsurou's Intelligence/Courtier 5k2: 5d10 ⇒ (10, 5, 10, 10, 8) = 43Exploding dice: 3d10 ⇒ (3, 10, 4) = 17Exploding exploding die: 1d10 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26 26+14=40 Can you believe it? Dice so nice to you you're throwing away a 13

With Soshi Kongming's help the silk purse turns up. There is gold thread interwoven in the purse strings and the embroidery. The pattern is unique to the craftsmen of Sunda Mizu Mura, aka Clear Water Village. That "village" is a City at the mouth of the River of Gold, and serves as the Crab Clan's main economic hub. Since river traffic between that City and this one is strong and steady, it's not that surprising really for something crafted there to turn up here. But you do find the context interesting: this is a very fine silk purse. It's the sort of thing that is far fancier than is necessary for its purpose. It's of a quality worthy to be worn on display in a Winter Court.

If someone paid this ronin, perhaps they can be traced by being a known owner of this distinctive item. Soshi Kongming tells you it is gold and navy blue colored, but the embroidery is just flowery and geometric shapes with no mon.

Kitsuki Katsurou's Intelligence/Commerce (untrained) 3k3: 3d10 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) = 10

You don't find any details quite so diagnostic to the koku coins that can be collected. It doesn't take a Kitsuki to realize that they all bear the emblem of the Crab, but that only means they were minted by that Clan. Crab Koku aren't the most common mintage in the City of Lies, but they are by no means rare.

Pitiful reports to you with his discoveries while you ponder clues.

"Kitsuki-sama, this is the information you sought:
The Ronin, whos name was Tooth-puller, was hired to perform a job for someone called "Silence". He was very reluctant to offer this information, but I convinced him to share it. I suspect the Ronin believes this name to be an alias, however. If it is, I believe he does not know this "Silence" person by any other names.

Tooth-puller said that Silence wanted the sword desperately. So desperately, that he paid ridiculously well for the ronin's services. Our ronin friend hired professional dregs from the Fisherman Quarter to serve as cannon fodder and a distraction. I don't think he intended to pay them very well, if at all. The ronin said that Silence said that the Cranes would have the sword, and seemed afraid of the possibility that he might not get it. Silence told Tooth-puller that he could identify the sword by having a serrated blade.

Lastly, I do believe Tooth-puller when he claimed to have no knowledge of the events in the Inn of Orange Blossoms.

I could not prevent his passing into the next world before I could collect further information."


A fine Crab wallet paid to a mercenary to find a particular sword owned by the Cranes. This requires more knowledge of the Clans than I have on my own, and maybe one of the others has important information as well.

You have done remarkably well, Pitiful. I must go and pool information with my associates now, can I find you here in this quarter if I need your services again?


Kitsuki Katsurou:
Pitiful bows low; you can hear his elderly voice echoing to you off the floor.

"Yes, possibly, Kitsuki-sama. If I'm not here, I'm doing the Governor's bidding in her dungeons."


Of course, one must always think of duty.

With that Katsurou returns to the Inn, taking the mysterious mercenary's weapons and purse with him.


After what seemed like hours of chasing the bandits through the town, Chinatsu runs into a large group of revelers. The bandits get lost in the commotion and Chinatsu is forced to give up the chase.

Still feeling the dead finger on his eye, Chinatsu moves to get himself cleansed of the scar upon his soul before head back to the Inn.

He arrives after a fashion, waving to Shinjo. "Those bandits moved quite a bit quicker than one may think. Doesn't help that we're in one of the busiest days of the year inside the city!"

He takes a cup of water gratefully from the inn keeper and takes a seat near Shinjo-san.


Ongoing background information; this applies to everyone as you head to the Temple of Amaterasu for a cleansing and/or to the Inn of Orange Blossoms to rendezvous.

As you return through the city walls and travel through increasingly prosperous neighborhoods, the city dwellers take to the streets in increasingly elaborate costumes.

Many children are costumed as gaki or bakemono and beg door to door for treats; appeasing these "evil spirits" is considered good luck for the household.

As the night progresses halfway through the Hour of the Rooster, dances have begun to be performed in the streets. Temples, fighting Dojos, prominently wealthy families, and even criminal gangs sponsor dragon dancers to compete for bragging rights to the most splendid costumes and skilled dancing. Legends tell of such competition escalating to violence in the City of Lies, but the Thunder Guard are out in force this year to quell such nonsense.


Female Unicorn Battle Maiden ATN: 25 Glory 1.3 Honor: 7.9
combat:
Katana 6k3+7 (6k2 damage) or Yumi (willow leaf) 5k4+7 (5k2 damage)

As they have yet to arrive back, I can only surmise they are still chasing bandits as I was.

The usually upbeat samurai-ko pauses for a moment with downcast face as she recalls the bandit's words, his casual threats bitten off and spat at her. Her answer of steel and blood. She pictures the image in her mind, then wraps it up and sets it aside, what was past was past, the future is uncertain, there is only the now. A smile creeps back to her lips as she feels the warmth of the shochu, the glow of good company.

She taps her cup against the table

I have a feeling this night is not yet over, so as much as I would like to finish this bottle with you, we ought to leave some for the others, I shall have some tea now. Hametsu!

she beckons the innkeeper over

Jasmine tea please Hametsu

as the man bows and hurries off to fetch her favorite brew, she turns back to Makkasu

Is this your first bon festival here in Ryoko Owari? The costumes I saw far surpassed other events I've seen throughout the rest of the empire for previous festivals...


Shinjo Xiaoxing wrote:
Is this your first bon festival here in Ryoko Owari? The costumes I saw far surpassed other events I've seen throughout the rest of the empire for previous festivals...

Makkasu converses with Xiaoxing.

"First? Far from it. Not that long ago, I was a magistrate patrolling the roads of these Scorpion provinces. I fought to keep all the highways safe between this City and Biden Pass."

He sips at the sochu with a faraway look in his eyes for a moment, bearing the expression of a tortured soul visiting memories of loved ones lost. Before long he comes back to the present with a despondent grunt.

"But that was before my world fell. I am now a masterless road warrior searching for a righteous cause."

As Kitsuki Katsurou and Chinatsu return to the Inn, Makkasu politely excuses himself.

"Thank you for your company, Shinjo-san. I should check on Hametsu's family."

The plot is pretty much in a holding pattern until Katsuyoshi returns and Himeko's chase resolves. So feel free to roleplay with each other and/or the NPCs at the Inn until we get the gang back together! You all certainly have information to share with each other ;)


From the sound of it Shinjo and this ronin are becoming close. Best keep that in mind.

Let's pool our information. Katsurou breathes deeply.

I found a quite expensive purse, belonging to some Crab family, I believe, based on where it must have been produced. It's clearly finely made, meant for an auspicious occasion, probably at Court. The koku contained therein also had been minted by the Crab clan. I also got an alias, "Silence", the person who hired the men we just encountered. It seems he was after a sword, which they believe to be in the hands of the Cranes. This sword would have a serrated edge, which is how the man would identify it. Silence was clearly a man of means, even if he wasn't behind the presence of the Oni, based on how much he paid the ringleader of the operation.

His small tirade over, he asks Hametsu about Hakiku and requests some tea.


I'm trying to finish this up! But this stupid bandit won't give up. :(

Himeko internally chastises herself for letting her jiujutsu become rusty. She prepares herself for another chase.

Stamina/Athletics: 3d10 ⇒ (9, 8, 5) = 22 = 17

Spent a Void point.

-Posted with Wayfinder


"This 'Silence' must be he merchant in the story I was told. It seems like there were a few core men in this attack, most were just hired thugs of little worth to the core. They work for someone called 'Toe-Cutter' who in turns work for some sort of 'king' called 'Fade'. The lot of them seemed to be here to look for info on the caravans moving through the city...maybe to attack one away from the city. This 'Silence' payed the group a large sum of money for some sort of theft."
Chinatsu says, sharing his information with the Kitsuki. He sips at his water. "I have a feeling that this theft is probably whatever sword 'Silence' is looking for. I doubt that they have acquired the sword, considering where they were looking..."


Doji Himeko:
The breathing exercises your debtate sensei made you practice pay off as your body's desire to give up the strenuous run is quelled.

The shifty bandit keeps looking over his shoulder and becomes increasingly panicked about his inability to lose your dogged pursuit.

You've chased him long enough to see where he apparently hoped to lose you: across the Dragon Bridge linking the Leatherworkers' Quarter with the Nobles' Quarter. His ill-thought hopes are dashed once the splendid bridge comes into view: many samurai noblemen and noblewomen are assembled there to take advantage of one of the best views in the city for watching an impending fireworks display. Naturally they all have their yojimbo attending them.

The bandit eeks at that sight and stops running, allowing you to close the distance rapidly. He turns, readies his aiguchi, and throws it at you before you can get him in your clutches.

Bandit's agility/athletics (untrained): 3d10 ⇒ (3, 9, 2) = 14

The bloodstained knife juuuuust misses your face as it whistles past you into the night. The bandit's eyes go wide as he realizes he has no cards left to play as you bear down upon him.

I'm giving you a free raise on any attack on the guy.. (his TN is 15) You have a bunch of momentum and he's just standing in the open in the middle of the street, having pinned all his hopes on taking you out with the thrown knife..

Meanwhile at the Inn of the Orange Blossom...

Hametsu serves drinks as requested. Of course they're free of charge tonight for your heroics earlier. He replies to Katsurou:

"Oh, Kimiko assures me our beloved daughter will recover.. thanks to all of you."

Awareness/Investigation(Notice) TN10:
While Chinatsu was talking, Makkasu was heading back towards the stairwell. He stopped in his tracks and looked back for a moment when the second name was mentioned.


GM Onnotangu:
Finally seeing her chance to end the pursuit, Himeko doesn't hesitate to plant her fist in the jaw of the bandit.

Agility/Jiujutsu 3k2 + Raise for Damage: 3d10 + 5 ⇒ (7, 2, 10) + 5 = 24 = 23
Exploding Die: 1d10 ⇒ 2

I want to try and drop this guy, but I don't have the book in front of me. What am I rolling for damage with the raise? And can I spend a Void point to boost the damage?

-Posted with Wayfinder


Doji Himeko:

Unarmed damage is roll strength keep 1 (although mastery can increase this) and +1k0 for the raise. I'm a little confused about where the +5 comes from in your roll to hit, though. But it doesn't matter, assuming your raise for damage was the free raise, then you still hit even without it.

Void: You normally don't get to spend void on damage rolls. There are a few explicit exceptions, but normally it's a "No.". You spent a void in the crematorium to make sure you avoided touching dead flesh, and you spent another making sure the bandit didn't get away. I think you're out of Void at this point anyway :]

Himeko's punch damage: 3d10 ⇒ (10, 10, 1) = 21exploding fury: 2d10 ⇒ (8, 10) = 18Lady Doji favors you today: 1d10 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21 Void? Who needed void? O.o

The bandit collapses like a sack of wet noodles as you vent your frustration with a solid sock to the jaw coupled with a vicious combination knee-strike to his midsection as he slumped from the blow.

A pair of Thunder Guard kaisatsukan come running from the nearby bridge to investigate the disturbance. They are of low rank in the city watch, and recognize you as a yoriki and are willing to assist you in detaining your wrongdoer.

The bandit is incapacitated but not unconscious. You can question him, but you don't have a torturer available. The Thunder Guard do extend an offer to deliver him to the city prison where he can be questioned for you, if you desire.


Awareness/Investigation, free raise, 6k3: 6d10 ⇒ (4, 8, 5, 3, 7, 7) = 34=8+7+7=22

Will PM you problem.


Kitsuki Katsurou: Even being blind, you could hear Makkasu's pace alter in response to what was said. You might not realize he turned and looked, sure, but he certainly stopped. The Inn doesn't have a nightingale floor, but it's still wooden and thus somewhat creaky. It's reasonable to say you realize the name has significance to him since you hit the TN.

Katsurou's Raise:
Judging by tone of his quiet grunting, you get the impression Makkasu rather does not like this "Toe-Cutter".


Male Dragon Atn 15 Honor 4.5

Katauyoshi wanders in and waits to be seated with the rest of the group, he is rather noticeably fatigued from the days events.


GM Onnotangu:
I was taking the plus five as a free raise. Isn't that how it's quantified? I just got home from a weekend work trip, so I'll have to check my book. Thanks for working out the damage for me and also setting me straight on Void Points. I thought I still had one left.

As the Thunder Guard begin to take the bandit away, Himeko will lean in and snap her fingers for the man's attention. "Why you were desecrating the morgue? If you tell me, I might be able to save you from further pain."

Awareness/Sincerity 7k4 w/ Free Raise and an additional Raise: 7d10 ⇒ (10, 6, 2, 8, 9, 8, 5) = 48 = 44
Exploding Dice: 1d10 ⇒ 9

After receiving (or not) a response, she turns to the kaisatsukan. "Please inter him for questioning. Oruku-sama might have more to ask." With that, she turns and heads back to the Inn of the Orange Blossom. She looked frightful, of that she had no doubt. Her kimono was covered in blood and her hair would be a nightmare. Carefully, she reaches up and undoes what remains of Teju's hard work. Her ebony hair cascades down to the small of her back. She tears a clean piece from her ruined dress and ties it up into a functional pony tail. A tad crude, but it couldn't be helped.


Doji Himeko:
The bandit's feeble struggles against the Thunder Guard's grasp reminds you of a trapped racoon. After you ask your question, the bandit looks up as if listening to someone else speak after you. He seems to answer this ghostly presence rather than you when he replies:

"We was going to rob those Cranes. We saw the Dark One go in before we was ready.. we knew it would be easier to rob the Cranes after they were all killed dead so we robbed them at the crematorium."

With a wild giggle he adds:

"mmmhmmm... yesssssss... It doesn't matter what you do with me, samurai... for no matter what you do, before this night is over the city will tremble under the echo of a thousand screams...."

At the Inn of the Orange Blossom:

The latest arrivals are greeted with a sign that reads "Closed for Business", although Hametsu urges you to come in and that you are always welcome in his establishment for saving his family. He thanks each one of you personally for your heroics. He apologizes for the mess that still exists; he's been collecting broken and torn pieces of porcelain, furniture, and festival decorations and hasn't had time to do a proper job of it. Your reserved room off to the side of the main hall withstood the worst of the Oni's attack, and has been made presentable.

Those of you who wish to wash the grime from your exertions off before presenting yourselves to Doji Oruku (whenever he shows back up) can wash up at a nearby Onsen. You're also welcome to use a room upstairs to change into clean clothing. Hametsu makes this suggestion with discreet insistence to Mirumoto Katsuyoshi, as your kimono was fouled by Oni ichor when you hugged the podling to death.


Male Dragon Atn 15 Honor 4.5

"A cleansing and a change of clothes would do wonders for my current state I believe. If a spare kimono could be found." With the hint placed firmly in the air Katsuyoshi will retire to clean the filth from himself. Afterwards, much better for the experience, Katsuyoshi will again join the table and await the return of the Crane magistrate.

"The filth I chased decided it was better to throw his life away in an attempt to face me. Did any fare better?"


Katsurou makes his way upstairs, slowly, to find Makkasu, guided by Konming. As he finds him he walks along, tapping his cane against the baseboards of the hallway.

Now Makkasu-San, we need to find this man, this Toe-Cutter. I'm not going to ask you what your previous relationship is, or how you know each other. I just need to know, can you help us find him? You saw what that thing did, you know this is a bigger issue than any of us here now. Can you help us?


Female Unicorn Battle Maiden ATN: 25 Glory 1.3 Honor: 7.9
combat:
Katana 6k3+7 (6k2 damage) or Yumi (willow leaf) 5k4+7 (5k2 damage)

I am glad to see you all safe back here, Kitsuki-san, Chinatsu, Mirumoto-san, Doji-san

Xiaoxing looks around smiling, relieved despite herself that everyone has made it back to the Inn, everyone except the Crane magistrate anyway. She directs Hametsu to pour shochu and tea for everyone as fortitude against the cold evening.

Kassai! she toasts the table.

In response to Katsurou's discussion, she adds

The bandit I caught had a merchant's receipt from the Serpentine Quarter on his person, something he should not have had and therefore rather noteworthy to an inquisitive samurai. On it were several addresses, including that of the Cranes as well as two other addresses in the Merchant Quarter. The Crane's address was circled, being the Crane embassy... I wonder if we should make our magistrate friend aware, this could be the next target if any of the bandits have survived


Heh. Toe-Cutter.

Himeko will take the chance to wash and change, sending a servant from the onsen to the Crane Clan estate for a fresh, more functional kimono. The torn and blood-stained kimono she had burned. While she soaked, her thoughts turned to the dead eta boy, a life she had gambled with and lost. Surely his sacrifice in service to the Crane would bode well with his reincarnation and the bandit had been apprehended, but what could she have done to save him?

The thought is still on her mind when she returns to the inn. With its tighter sleeves and looser flow, her pale blue kimono is designed more functionally than her last, more stylish outfit. Her hair is much less ornate as well, tied into a simple ponytail that drapes down to her back. She is quiet at the table and sips her tea slowly, only mentioning that: "I pursued one of the bandits through the eta village. I stopped him, but not before he killed a boy."


Makkasu doesn't make Katsurou chase him upstairs once it becomes clear the blind samurai wishes to speak with him. He listens to the plea and replies direly:

"Oh, I'll kill that bandit sooner or later. He and I have unfinished business. But neither vengeance nor honor puts a roof over my head nor food in my belly."

Makkasu seems sympathetic to your cause, but he believes his hands are tied:

"Even if I were to accompany you, answer me this: Who will protect Hametsu and his family tonight should the Oni return?"

I'm terribusy today.. I'm going to delay Doji Oruku's return & a plot advance until tomorrow night. I invite you to spend another day roleplaying with one another and/or with Makkasu, Hametsu, or whatever you think of.. this is one of the few pauses your characters will get to enjoy peace and quiet and develop character relationships during the adventure!


Katsurou strokes his chin thoughtfully and readjusts his blindfold.

I apologize, it seems I haven't made myself clear. I wouldn't ask you to abandon these fine people, I agree they have suffered enough, but it seems to me that whomever his patron is has grandiose plans and the ability to summon and command Oni. Given that, the best strategy to protect these people and others like them would be to hunt them down before they get whatever it is they want. Can you tell me how I along with Xiaoxing-San and the rest could find him or this "Fade"? He may well be our best lead and we have little time.


Female Unicorn Battle Maiden ATN: 25 Glory 1.3 Honor: 7.9
combat:
Katana 6k3+7 (6k2 damage) or Yumi (willow leaf) 5k4+7 (5k2 damage)

I am sorry to hear that Himeko-san, it is sad the depths to which these dishonourable scum will stoop

Xiaoxing tilts her head slightly as she thinks about all the information each samurai has provided thus far, before venturing

Kitsuki-san, far be it from me to disagree with you, but might we also see if this merchant 'Silence' is known to any around? If he was the one who put the bandits up to their misdeeds then he needs both punishing and interrogating to determine what is going on...

she takes a sip of tea then continues

He may not be at the root of the issue, but if he is the next link we may need his testimony to find the next culprit in the chain, and perhaps we can also find out if there are any more... er, 'criminal activities' planned for tonight...


Makkasu continues his dialogue with Katsurou, ambling back over to the side room so that the blind courtier can sit comfortably. After the ronin listens carefully, he replies to everyone:

"Well, I haven't known Toe-Cutter to have any dealings with maho, but I can't say the same for this "Fade" character as I know nothing about him beyond his fearsome reputation. He is, if you weren't aware, the most wanted criminal in Ryoko Owari Toshi. Except he's not in Ryoko Owari Toshi. Noone knows where he is; he leads a bandit army from a secret base that preys upon caravans heading to or from the City. His bushi are the foulest of the foul and know no lows. They deliberately use bushido against samurai.. if you pursue him with honor he will always escape. Instructing his minions to throw dead flesh at magistrates sounds exactly like Fade's modus operandi.

Toe-cutter, on the other hand, I know much more about. He hadn't pledged himself to Fade until very recently, and I still have trouble believing it. Fade has a notorious hatred of everything relating to the samurai caste, even ronin. But I digress.

Toe-cutter is nothing more than a two-bu thug. He used to be an underboss in another gang..one that menaced my assigned highways. But my superiors wished that I focus my attentions elsewhere. After they menaced a village not far from here, I killed their leader."

Makkasu looks around carefully before continuing, making sure Soshi Kongming isn't taking the story as an insult. His expression contorts to barely contained rage towards the end of his story.

"I have no proof to accuse my former comrades, but I believe one of them sold me out... For Toe-cutter "somehow" acquired information about the whereabouts of my wife and child and used it to assassinate them. My superiors then summoned me and I was ordered to perform the three cuts for failing to protect my family. I suspected that my superiors were shamefully in league with these bandits to use them as "plausibly deniable assets". So I refused and became Clan-less. I have travelled the fury road ever since I began searching for that coward that killed my family behind my back."

Awareness/Lore: Law TN10:
Makkasu talks like he's a former Scorpion Magistrate! Sounds like he was in charge of keeping the Clan's highways safe...


A recognizable voice carries through the Inn from the front door. Doji Oruku responds first to Makkasu's story:

"Ah, your ronin friend is dramatic but mostly correct. At least with regards to "Fade". The capture of that bandit was one of the late Emerald Magistrate's top priorities.

He gives a backhanded compliment to Makkasu, implying that the ronin's fateful tale of his fall and disgrace may not be entirely truthful. He also "politely" reminds Makkasu of his "unaffiliated status" and that you all have official business to attend to, trumping the importance of any sob stories however entertaining they may be.

"Surely, I enjoy an entertaining tale as much as the next samurai, but I do believe we have pressing work to accomplish in other areas: the murder of my kinsmen.

Unfortunately, I did not meet with much success in my chase. Naturally I caught the villain, and of course he was no match for my sword despite his attempts to resist my arrest. Sadly, in rendering him a corpse I learned little beyond what we already knew."

Doji Oruku thanks Hametsu for the offer of some tea and joins you at the table. His attire still looks clean and fresh; either his chase was not very exerting or perhaps he already stopped by a bathhouse to freshen up before checking in on you. He listens to what you've discovered with that same chin-scratching expression that suggests intelligent thought about your words. I'll assume you repeat to him everything you already said to each other. If you want to add details, now's the time.


Awareness/Lore, 5k3: 5d10 ⇒ (5, 5, 7, 9, 4) = 30=21

Former scorpion magistrate, cares for commoners. Remember him.

After Uruku comes in and announces himself Katsurou immediately attempts to placate him.

Please, Doji-sama, do not feel we have forgotten your kinsmen, both living and dead. We only hoped to gather our information and discover what the best course of action would be to bring ourselves closer to that very vengeance you speak of. We have a series of names to go forward on, and if this ronin knew something useful about one of them we wouldn't be so careless as to overlook it, since we were meeting here already.


Female Unicorn Battle Maiden ATN: 25 Glory 1.3 Honor: 7.9
combat:
Katana 6k3+7 (6k2 damage) or Yumi (willow leaf) 5k4+7 (5k2 damage)

Uruku-sama, I am obliged to draw your attention to this paper the bandit I chased was carrying until he died...

Xiaoxing pushes the receipt across the table to the Crane magistrate

It is not something a bandit should be carrying, and contains several addresses, including that of the Crane embassy which is circled here

she taps the paper with a purposeful gesture

From the testimony of my fellow samurai I surmise that there are at least two forces at work here in Ryoko Owari this night, do you have a suggestion as to where you would like us to continue our investigations magistrate-sama?


Male Lion Samurai ATN: 30 Honor: 7.5
Combat:
Katana 6k3 w. Full Attack 8k4 (7k2+8); Naginata 6k3 (6k2); Yumi 5k2 (5k2) Jiujutsu 5k3

Dot. Roar.


When Doji Oruku hears that the bandits were looking to steal one of the Cranes' swords:

"One of the Cranes killed tonight, Daidoji Anitano, was known for his bravery in battle. Before he came to this City, he fought many battles on behalf of the Empire atop the Kaiu Wall alongside the Crab. There is a rumor that he found a fine sword in the Shadowlands.

Given the events of this evening, it would seem there is more to that story than mere rumor."


"Did Anitano-san have family? Where is his sword now?" Himeko interjects. "If this 'Fade' character is as tenacious as he seems, perhaps that is where the next blow will land."


Female Unicorn Battle Maiden ATN: 25 Glory 1.3 Honor: 7.9
combat:
Katana 6k3+7 (6k2 damage) or Yumi (willow leaf) 5k4+7 (5k2 damage)

I wonder what these dishonourable scum, or rather whoever is directing the scum, wants with the sword?

Xiaoxing looks thoughtful, and shakes her head as if to dispel such thoughts from her mind.

Whatever they're after, we won't let them succeed!

she bangs her cup gently on the table, a polite imitation of her toast with Makkasu earlier. She looks at him and smiles for a moment before turning her attention back to the magistrate.


Male Dragon Atn 15 Honor 4.5

"When next we meet the oni in battle I will end its foul life. I am more worried about who would bring such a thing in to existence."

Though Katsuyoshi keeps his calm demeanor, inside he feels the woryy gnaw at him. Any man who would use such means could melt away like dew before the rays of the morning sun, perfectly safe with none who could accuse them. Or conversely, they could be so desperate as to endanger the whole city with some foolishness.


Male Lion Samurai ATN: 30 Honor: 7.5
Combat:
Katana 6k3 w. Full Attack 8k4 (7k2+8); Naginata 6k3 (6k2); Yumi 5k2 (5k2) Jiujutsu 5k3

"Your pardon, Oruku-sama." A tall bushi stands in the door of the inn, dressed in a black lacquered armor with red trim. He straightens from his bow, eyeing those in the room. "Your pardons, as well, esteemed colleagues. I have just returned from my patrol of the roads, and word reached me that all were needed here at the Orange Blossom. I came as soon as I was able." At the mention of the road patrol Hideyoshi glances over at Makkasu, observing the ronin's reaction.

"How may I be of assistance?"


A few Thunder Guard appear with the newcomer, and bear a scroll for Soshi Kongming. The shugenja reads the contents and informs Doji Oruku that the governor has called him to serve her, and Akodo Hideyoshi is here to assist in the investigation in his stead.

This personnel transition is a bit awkward as the character background details still need to be nailed down, but the gist of it is Akodo Hideyoshi is a fellow yoriki serving the Governor. Those of you who are also yoriki know him (even if only by reputation). The hows and whys of a Lion serving the Scorpion are still being worked out, but I'll use Doji Oruku's urgency in my favor now to say there's no time for formal introductions!

Doji Oruku nods gruffly to the Thunder Guard and the Governor's newly appointed representative.

"I hope you are a fast learner, Hideyoshi-san, as I have no time to brief you. I'll leave providing you the details of the incident to my friends and deputies."

He focuses back on the intelligence shared from your respective investigations, turning to Doji Himeko.

"The possessions of our slain kinsmen were returned to the Crane embassy nearby in the Noble's Quarter. It's the very same location Shinjo Xiaoxing's bandit had circled. We need to discover the true identity of this "Silence" whos existence Chinatsu-san discovered.. But first I hope my instincts are wrong but I fear our presence at the Crane residence may be necessary. Everyone, follow me!"

Makkasu wishes you good hunting as you chase after the Crane Magistrate.

Oruku-sama leads you over a block to Jade Street, then down that avenue to the congested Gate of Condescension (L9). Locals know that the narrow gate by design suppresses travel between the Merchant and Nobles' Quarters so as to enforce a divide between the elites and the peasants. Unfortunately slow travel from the peasant districts into the domain of samurai frustrates Doji Oruku's plans to return to the home of the Crane in an expedient manner. He fumes that it always seems faster to go out of one's way through the Pious Gate (L8) linking the Temple District to the Noble's Quarter.

Peasants dressed in costumes cheer jugglers and fire-breathers or playfully chase one another as you wedge your way through the throngs of festival revelers. Doji Oruku's dire expression warns off any shenanigans from playful partiers, however.

I'm using the 'traffic jam' at the gate as another pause point for roleplay. Feel free to get introduce yourselves/get to know Hideyoshi. Additionally, if you come up with ideas about how to do some crowd control to clear your way for faster ingress into the Nobles' Quarter, go ahead and roleplay it! Or even post some roleplay about fending off the hijinks of Bon Festival revelers. Imagine walking through the French Quarter in New Orleans during Mardi Gras and Halloween rolled into one holiday...

Another note for Akodo Hideyoshi: I'm not letting you be in your armor. In this timeline, wearing armor is tantamount to a declaration of hostile intent. Unless you know you're heading into a battle, you generally won't be in armor in this campaign. This adventure doesn't count, since you don't have time to run home and take your armor off the display stand ;)


Female Unicorn Battle Maiden ATN: 25 Glory 1.3 Honor: 7.9
combat:
Katana 6k3+7 (6k2 damage) or Yumi (willow leaf) 5k4+7 (5k2 damage)

Ah greetings Hideyoshi-san! exclaims Xiaoxing enthusiastically

It is a shame Kongming-san has to return to his other duties but I am glad we have your skills with us

she turns to gesture and encompass the others in the group

Himeko-san you will already know, let me introduce Katsurou-san, Katsuyoshi-san and Chinatsu. We appear to have been brought together by the fortunes to deal with a threat to the city this night, an Oni attacked this very establishment not an hour ago!

she pauses only to finish the tea in her cup before continuing

Not only that but bandits attacked the crematorium where the poor Crane the Oni slew were taken. We have reason to believe the Crane embassy may be the next target and are on our way there now, your timing could not have been better! she declares exuberantly.

As Uruku-sama grumbles about the Gate of Condescension, Xiaoxing excuses herself momentarily and disappears. As the group tries to shoulder its way through the assembled throng of revellers, there is suddenly a commotion from behind you.

Heyah! Make way in the name of the law!

Fast approaching on the back of a massive Utaku steed is Xiaoxing, who has appropriated a brightly colored lantern on a pole from some peasant celebrant, and continues to shout and wave it in front of her as the huge horse ploughs through those not fast or clever enough to move out of the way quickly. Acting as the spearhead for the group who follow in his wake, the stallion cuts through the crowd like a katana through shoji.

Breaking through to the other side, Xiaoxing slows somewhat and calls out

I regret any unintended injury sustained by those we just rode through in the name of justice, I hope you do not think my action inappropriate Uruku-sama, Geigeki-ki here

she pats the horse's neck

seems to prove himself useful in many ways I did not expect here in the city!

She follows at a walk to keep pace with the other samurai as the group approaches the embassy.


Male Lion Samurai ATN: 30 Honor: 7.5
Combat:
Katana 6k3 w. Full Attack 8k4 (7k2+8); Naginata 6k3 (6k2); Yumi 5k2 (5k2) Jiujutsu 5k3

Hideyoshi offers a slight bow to each in turn as Xiaoxing introduces them. Names he knew, faces he knew. Motives he did not.

'we shall see...'

A deeper bow. "Hai, Oruku-sama."

He jogged after Oruku-sama of the Crane, observing the man's actions.

'not what I have understood the Crane to be. A penchant for action, this one.'

As the group reached the crowded gate, Hideyoshi looked for a way through. He stayed close to Oruku, trying to match the man's stern look as they pushed their way through the throng. Xiaoxing's 'Heya!' brought a smile to his lips, only to be turned to a frown when people were ridden down by the huge animal.

"Even a lowly worm feeds the fish that the village depends on." Is all he would say to the battle maiden as they reached the far side.

'grandfather would be proud...'

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